I'm in the process of applying for Arizona Long Term Care for my mother. She was denied a couple of years ago, but things have progressed since then. A friend applied to ALTCS for her children and was told to answer the questions as if they were asking about the worst day. I struggle because Mom has days when she's on the ball and then others where she's not. I struggle too because it almost feels like lying if I don't explain that. :( Can any of you give me insight on how I should be answering these questions?
If you do then you understand the trajectory is downhill and inexorably so.
Few dementia patients fluctuate between OK and decidedly NOT OK.
Most are not safe alone anymore and cannot function alone anymore.
If you mother isn't there yet, then perhaps it is too early to apply for this aid.
But if she needs daily help and someone there for her own safety, then she IS there, and that is what you would be conveying.
I agree with the person who suggests that you will describe Mom at her worst, because that is what she is asking coverage for, and that is "where she lives" for the most part (I assume, not knowing her).
Best of luck. Truly, once you get into trying to EXPLAIN everything you open a kettle of fish that really creates a quite unpleasant stew.
You never know what the decline of any disease or condition will bring.
Answer the questions as if she is having a bad day.
I live in Arizona and I haven't seen an Altcs application, my dad was 14.00 a month over the limit for assistance but, all the other Arizona services applications that I have knowledge of are denied if it isn't worst case scenario.
You are not lying in any way by giving the truth of her bad days. Anyone with two brain cells to rub together knows that is a reality, good days, bad days and just days are a fact of life.
Thank you for your input!